come alive: the you stuff

I was hanging out with a mom friend this morning and, amidst trying to get our (my) kids to play well with one another and attempting to speak over the dull roar of construction vehicles that our children were animatedly watching,  we were catching up on life.  Among other things, I was sharing with her about my new venture - starting an Etsy store - and her whole face lit up, she became animated, and her excitement was tangible.  What she said was really powerful to me, and that's what I want to share with you.  She said (paraphrased):

"I am so so excited for you!  You can tell you're excited.  Because, this... this is YOU stuff.  This is you living out of who you are, not just as a mommy, but in what gives you life and energy.  This is we moms need, and struggle to do.  I am so proud of you!  This is the good stuff!"

This post has nothing to do with my Etsy store, spoiler alert.  It's in the menu bar if you're interested.  It's not about promoting it, or part of my grand marketing strategy.  That's still piecemealed together on napkins that my toddler may or may not have attempted to eat.  Slobber is not underrated in this enterprise, apparently.

Rather, this post is about finding what gives you life and doing that.  Developing and fostering parts of you that your kids might appreciate, but that aren't solely for them.  Teaching them how to be men and women who follow their dreams, follow through on their goals, and pursue joy - by doing it.

Have I written this post before?  Yup, pretty sure I have.  Pretty sure it's been part of any post that I've written giving advice to my future self, to moms of littles, to future parents, and probably just about anyone else.

It's so easy to give yourself away daily - even while it is infinitely difficult - so much so that we lose all of who we are, and all our toddler can answer when asked "what does mommy enjoy?" is "dishes" "laundry" and "me."  All important things, and not to be minimized.  Hence, why I will continue washing dishes and folding laundry, ad infinitum.

I want my sons to know that I adore them.  That I would do anything for them.  That nothing can diminish, alter, or interfere with my love for them.  That I love their Daddy with an equally strong, fierce and passionate love.  This is first and foremost, if they learn nothing else from me.  That they three, husband, and sons, are my priority.

But I also want them to see me follow my dreams, to chase after my goals, and to live a full and joyful life.  I want them to see me have the courage to be all of who I am, so that maybe just maybe when I encourage them to be all of who they are, and to chase after their dreams and do the hard work of fulfilling their goals, that they will have examples of what that looks like.

I was reminded this morning, by my friend's kind words of affirmation - this sister has the gift of celebrating with others with her whole being - that it is not a small thing to pursue who we are and to strive to live into the whole of who we are.  That it's not just for us - although it is a good and beautiful thing for us as well.  That it matters for our kids.

That life perpetuates life.

And that pursuit of life is a good and holy thing.

Will you join me, friend?  Will you carve out seconds, minutes, hours - that are costly - to foster life?  Even if it's just five minutes a day, will you be intentional to make it happen?

Maybe it's writing - maybe it's reading - maybe you love gardening, cooking, playing games, creating things with your hands - maybe you love singing or making music - maybe your soul comes to life when you climb a mountain or swim with the fish or soar above the clouds.

Whatever it - however long you can whittle out - will you do it? Put your strategy down on those slobbery napkins.  Write it down.  Speak it out.  Make it happen.

Because here's the beautiful secret - life perpetuates life.  And when your soul is alive, it spreads.  It flows out, it radiates from your being, and it energizes those who come in contact with you.

Come alive.